Organic Farmers Push for Welfare Standards Implementation

Organic dairy and livestock farmers are pushing for Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue to let animal welfare standards formed at the end of the Obama Administration to go into effect. Politico’s Morning Agriculture Report says the farmers argue that the long sought-after rules will give consumers what they want. The measure has long been supported by the USDA’s Organic Advisory Board and was supposed to be in effect on March 20. It was delayed until May 19 as part of an overall postponement of USDA policies to give the new administration a chance to review new rules left by the Obama administration. The group of over 300 farmers wrote in the letter that “the decision to become organic is voluntary. If consumers lose confidence in the organic seal, that will have a catastrophic impact throughout the industry.” However, the new standards are opposed by the larger organic egg producers. They say the new requirements of more indoor space and access to pasture could be cost prohibitive, as well as open poultry flocks to a better chance of exposure to disease.